{"id":9742,"date":"2024-03-05T15:51:24","date_gmt":"2024-03-05T14:51:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=9742"},"modified":"2024-03-05T15:51:24","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T14:51:24","slug":"does-the-mississippi-river-run-through-kentucky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/does-the-mississippi-river-run-through-kentucky\/","title":{"rendered":"Does The Mississippi River Run Through Kentucky"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Does the Mississippi River Run Through Kentucky?<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States and one of the oldest navigable waterways in the world. It flows southward for almost 3,000 miles, draining 32 states and one Canadian province. For centuries, the Mississippi River has been an essential highway for the transportation of goods and people throughout the region. But does the Mississippi River run through Kentucky?<\/p>\n

The answer to this question is yes, the Mississippi River does flow through Kentucky. The river enters Kentucky from the northwest corner of the state, along the border with Missouri. The river then follows a generally southward course for about 160 miles, cutting through western Kentucky before meeting the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois. At this point, the Mississippi River turns east and forms the border between Kentucky and Missouri.<\/p>\n

In addition to its importance as a navigable waterway, the Mississippi River provides a number of other benefits to Kentucky. It is home to a variety of fish and wildlife, many of which are threatened or endangered species. A number of parks and recreational areas have been established along its banks to protect the river’s diverse ecosystems and to provide recreation and learning opportunities for people living in the state. In addition, the river serves as a major source of drinking water for much of western Kentucky.<\/p>\n

Despite these benefits, the Mississippi River has had a significant impact on Kentucky in a negative way. In recent decades, the river has been subject to threats from pollution, overdevelopment, and sedimentation. These threats have caused considerable damage to fish and wildlife populations, as well as to the river’s recreational value. As a result, the river has been designated as an impaired waterway in many areas. This designation restricts activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing, and has limited its use as a commercial waterway.<\/p>\n